Former Zambian president Edgar Lungu dies at 68 – DW – 06/05/2025
Edgar Chagwa Lungu, known for his tenure as the sixth president of Zambiafrom 2015 to 2021, has died, his political party, the Patriotic Front, and family announced on Thursday.
He died on Thursdssay morning after receiving specialized medical treatmentat a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa.
"My father had been under medical supervision in recent weeks," his daughter Tasila Lungu-Mwansa announced in a video shared on social media.
"His condition was managed with dignity and privacy with support from all well-wishers," she said, without providing further details.
'We are all ambassadors of our own country'
Lungu was recognized for improving Zambia's international standing, strengthening diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and beyond, which helped lift Zambia's image on the global stage.
"We are all ambassadors of our country in our own right," Lungu had said, emphasizing national unity and patriotism. "Whether you belong to the ruling party or opposition, you only have one country you can proudly call yours."
He focused on diversifying Zambia's economy away from copper dependency, promoting infrastructure development, and improving human security. Also, he appointed Zambia's first female vice-president, Inonge Wina, and introduced initiatives such as commuting death sentences and establishing a national day of prayer.
During his tenure, Lungu worked on improving international ties Image: picture-alliance/Xinhua News Agency/P. Xinglei
Lungu's presidency labeled as harsh
Edward Lungu's presidency faced significant economic challenges, including recession and rising debt, alongside growing political tensions. His government frequently used emergency powers to control unrest, such as during riots linked to ritual killing rumors that sparked xenophobic attacks. Critics accused him of suppressing opposition and curbing freedoms of expression, assembly, and the press.
Laws like the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act were enacted quickly, raising concerns about restricting online dissent. Media outlets critical of the government were shut down, and activists faced intimidation and arrests. Opposition and human rights groups condemned the use of defamation laws to silence critics and the weakening of police independence. Lungu defended these the heavy-handed security tactics, stating he invoked a state of emergency "to bring sanity" during turbulent times.
Would Lungu turn authoritarian?
Lungu's invocation of emergency powers was seen by some as authoritarian. Human rights advocates were alarmed when Lung made statements like that he would have to take "unprecedented measures and some people will have to lose their rights. So, if I become a dictator for once, bear with me."
After being defeated in the 2021 election by opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, Lungu initially retired but later returned to active politics, which led to the government withdrawing his retirement benefits as per Zambian law.
Rising from legal roots to the presidency
Lungu was born on the November 11, 1956 in Ndola, Zambia, and grew up in the mineral-rich Copperbelt region. In 1981, he earned a law degree from the University of Zambia and began his career as a lawyer and military officer before entering politics with the Patriotic Front (PF). Rising through key ministerial roles, he became president following the death of Michael Sata in 2014. Edward Lungu was married to Esther Lungu. The couple has six children.
Public opinion on Lungu was mixed. Supporters praised his dedication to Zambia's development and stability, while critics highlighted concerns over governance and political tensions. Hakainde Hichilema, who was also Edward Lungu's main political opponent during his presidency, said about him: "Respect and recognition is earned and not forced ... Lungu must concentrate on running this country," criticizing Lungu's leadership style and governance approach.
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Oliver Shalala Sepiso, a media consultant for the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), also defended Zambia's new cyber laws — saying they are not about the surveillance of citizens but merely for digital or data protection. To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio Given that the laws are meant to protect Zambians from digital crimes and identity theft while improving national security, their enactment on April 8 received surprisingly little fanfare. There was so little media coverage that most Zambians only learned about the new rules through an alert issued by the United States embassy in Lusaka, warning Zambians abroad about the intrusive nature of the legislation. "Cyber legislation is needed to combat cybercrimes that are very rampant, like identity theft, and online fraud," Richard Mulonga, CEO of Bloggers of Zambia, told DW. 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Violating the laws also carries significant consequences: the legislation allows for the extradition of Zambians abroad, and stiff penalties, from fines to prison sentences — potentially two to 25 years — depending on the specific offense committed. Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the legislation is meant to protect citizens online and not stifle fundamental freedoms. "This conception that the cyber laws are perhaps meant to intrude, to go into your personal details in a willy-nilly fashion is not correct," he told journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka. "It needs to be put in its proper context, contrary to the assertions that the government's intention is to intercept any of your communication and break into your gadget," he added. Oliver Shalala Sepiso, a media consultant for the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), also defended Zambia's new cyber laws — saying they are not about the surveillance of citizens but merely for digital or data protection. To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio Given that the laws are meant to protect Zambians from digital crimes and identity theft while improving national security, their enactment on April 8 received surprisingly little fanfare. There was so little media coverage that most Zambians only learned about the new rules through an alert issued by the United States embassy in Lusaka, warning Zambians abroad about the intrusive nature of the legislation. "Cyber legislation is needed to combat cybercrimes that are very rampant, like identity theft, and online fraud," Richard Mulonga, CEO of Bloggers of Zambia, told DW. "There are some provisions that have the potential to restrict free expression, for example, assembly and association, and just broader digital rights." Lungisani Zulu, President of the Law Association of Zambia, said his association will challenge the new law in court. "Numerous provisions of the Act, which is now law, infringe upon the rights and freedoms of citizens, hinder a free press, and have the potential to undermine the cherished democracy in our country," Zulu said. The new laws replace the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act of 2021, which was passed by former president, Edgar Lungu. Under these laws, Zambia police arrested Mbewe Sibajene in April 2024 for circulating satirical memes and videos mocking government officials and institutions. Police said the memes were abusive, defamatory, and aimed at inciting public disorder towards state institutions. 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Kellys Mushota, a frequent social media user and youth member Zambia's Congress of Trade Unions, has noticed some changes online. "The enactment of this law has seen some reduction in the number of harassment or even the way of harassment social media users engage in. However, there has also been a reduction of the will by people to speak freely on matters such as governance and politics," he told DW. Kitwe-based 22-year-old researcher Joshua Seke says young people online are worried about their private conversations being intercepted by authorities. "If you look at what young people are saying online, does it mean that now I can't laugh with my girl online? Is the government actually going to read everything that we do?" he asked. Others, like 31-year-old Lusaka resident Mary Ndau, told DW that the laws would discourage online abuse. 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The West Africa Media Foundation has also reported a rise in restrictive cyber laws infringing on freedom of expression and privacy in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Benin and Niger.
DW
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- DW
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Zambian leaders say new cybersecurity laws are protecting citizens from online scams and identity theft. But critics see an attack on freedom of expression. It has been almost three months since Zambia's president, Hakainde Hichilema, signed the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Acts of 2025 into law. His supporters hailed the laws, calling them progressive, and said they would help fight digital crimes and improve national security. But rights groups maintain the laws, especially the Cyber Crimes Act, are undemocratic, and stifle freedom of expression and speech. The laws allow for the interception and surveillance of all electronic communications, including calls, emails, messages and streamed content. The Zambia Cyber Security Agency has been moved from an independent agency of state, and brought under the Office of the President. Violating the laws also carries significant consequences: the legislation allows for the extradition of Zambians abroad, and stiff penalties, from fines to prison sentences – potentially two to 25 years – depending on the specific offense committed. Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the legislation is meant to protect citizens online and not stifle fundamental freedoms. "This conception that the cyber laws are perhaps meant to intrude, to go into your personal details in a willy-nilly fashion is not correct," he told journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka. "It needs to be put in its proper context, contrary to the assertions that the government's intention is to intercept any of your communication and break into your gadget," he added. Oliver Shalala Sepiso, media consultant for the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), also defended Zambia's new cyber laws – saying they are not about surveillance of citizens but merely for digital or data protection. To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio But for laws meant to protect Zambians from digital crimes and identity theft while improving national security, the laws' enactment on April 8 received surprisingly little fanfare. There was so little media coverage that most Zambians only learned about the new rules through an alert issued by the United States embassy in Lusaka, warning Zambians abroad about the intrusive nature of the legislation. "Cyber legislation is needed to combat cybercrimes that are very rampant, like identity theft, and online fraud," Richard Mulonga, CEO of Bloggers of Zambia, told DW. "There are some provisions that have the potential to restrict free expression, for example assembly and association, and just broader digital rights." President of the Law Association of Zambia, Lungisani Zulu, said his association will challenge the new law in court. "Numerous provisions of the Act, which is now law, infringe upon the rights and freedoms of citizens, hinder a free press, and have the potential to undermine the cherished democracy in our country," Zulu said. The new laws replace the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act of 2021, which were passed by former president Edgar Lungu. Under these laws, Zambia police arrested Mbewe Sibajene in April 2024 for circulating satirical memes and videos mocking government officials and institutions. Police said the memes were abusive, defamatory, and aimed at inciting public disorder towards state institutions. To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio Among the contentious provisions are laws that criminalize so-called "false information," vague definitions of indecent content, and a lack of protection for journalists reporting on sensitive national issues. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), a regional media watchdog in eight African countries, says the new law has already impacted journalists negatively. "Journalists a living in fear because whenever they are doing their stories, they need to now do self-censorship because they don't know what is going to come out from what they are doing," Kennedy Mbulo, vice chairperson of MISA Zambia, told DW, "it has also impacted investigative journalism. You cannot record an individual because one day that could be used as evidence." Tech savvy young Zambians are divided over the new cyber laws. Kellys Mushota, a frequent social media user and youth member Zambia's Congress of Trade Unions, has noticed some changes online. "The enactment of this law has seen some reduction in the number of harassment or even the way of harassment social media users engage in. However, there has also been a reduction of the will by people to speak freely on matters such as governance and politics," he told DW. Kitwe-based 22-year-old researcher Joshua Seke says young people online are worried about their private conversations being intercepted by authorities. "If you look at what young people are saying online, does it mean that now I can't laugh with my girl online? Is the government actually going to read everything that we do?" he asked. Others, like 31-year-old Lusaka resident Mary Ndau, told DW that the laws would discourage online abuse. "People will be doing the right thing online, they will not express bad behaviors or bully others online because they will be subjected to the law," she said. As opposition leader, President Hichilema repeatedly criticized cyber laws, describing them as tools of government surveillance. Yet he has enacted arguably even stricter cybersecurity laws. Kampala-based Edrine Wanyama of CIPESA (Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa), says cyber security legislation is not unique to Zambia, with neighbors South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Malawi also enacting cybersecurity laws. "Countries tend to pick practices from one country, apply in theirs," the lawyer told DW. "The whole virus keeps biting the rest of the continent, and these laws have been found to be effective for governments in checking on freedoms of expression, access to information, assembly and association in the online spaces." The West Africa Media Foundation has also reported a rise in restrictive cyber laws infringing on freedom of expression and privacy in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Benin and Niger.
